Image caption
The three men Noel (L), Nevin (centre) and Graham Spence (R) were overcome by gas

The deaths of three members of the Spence family was the worst farming tragedy in Northern Ireland for 20 years, an inquest has been told.

Ulster rugby player Nevin Spence, his father Noel and brother Graham died in a slurry tank accident last September.

On the final day of the inquest in Belfast, Coroner John Leckey said it was an "unbelievable" tragedy.

John Leckey said the case had raised awareness about the dangers of slurry "throughout the British Isles".

The men died after the accident on their family farm outside Hillsborough on 15 September, 2012.

'Lost consciousness'

Until this happened not everyone was aware of the dangers. What I have been told is the message is getting across to the wider Northern Ireland farming community John Leckey, Coroner

The inquest has already been told that 30-year-old Graham Spence entered the slurry tank first in an attempt to rescue a dog.

He was overcome by fumes and his 22-year-old brother, Nevin, went in to try to save him but lost consciousness.

Their 58-year-old father Noel then entered the tank, but he too was overcome by slurry gas.

On Tuesday, state pathologist Prof Jack Crane said the levels of hydrogen sulphide and other toxic gases were high enough to render the men unconscious.

Prof Crane said when they fell into the slurry tanks, they died after breathing in the liquid.

Noel's widow, Mrs Essie Spence, attended the inquest for a second day, accompanied by her two daughters and Graham's widow, Andrea Spence.

After Prof Crane had given his evidence, she asked the pathologist why her son Nevin appeared to have "succumb to the gas more quickly".

He replied there may be no reason other than he might "have been more energetic in the tank and would have therefore breathed in the gases more quickly."

'Awful tragedy'

The inquest also took evidence from members of the Health and Safety Executive of Northern Ireland (HSENI).

They explained the dangers of working with slurry and said that every slurry tank was dangerous.

In his concluding remarks, Mr Leckey said: "Everyone was riveted to the radio and news papers as they couldn't believe such an awful tragedy could happen in the 21st Century.

"Until this happened not everyone was aware of the dangers. What I have been told is the message is getting across to the wider Northern Ireland farming community and their tragic deaths (are) known throughout the British Isles," the coroner said.